Grunge
Indie Angst Alternative Rock, lost inside legendary Seattle studio vaults for 30 years (ACPM-027)
Grunge used to just be another word for dirty. The city of Seattle changed that in the 90s when it became the source of a generational shift in music. Thanks to bands like Temple of the Dog, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden (just to name a few), grunge has become a singularly recognizable era, attitude, fashion choice, and genre of music.
And yes, all those things can still probably be described as “dirty”... either figuratively or literally.
Grunge (on our Analog Champion label) is a full-blooded album of angsty, aggressive, and sometimes strange rock that strives to follow in the footsteps of those flannel-clad luminaries. Bone-crunching guitars with heavy-but-memorable riffs, pummeling drums, and unexpected bass lines all set a very brooding stage. Composer Ryan Leyva AKA Johnny Nails absolutely wails with vocals that meld some of the great grunge singers into a single cutting voice, featuring a truly dynamic range and delivery.
While there are plenty of straight-up rockers like album opener “Little Piggie” and “I Don’t Wanna Be Here,” we also showcase the more intimate and tragic side of grunge. Tackling themes of suicide, loss, and the effects of addiction, “Hard Song” stands out with rich acoustic guitars and anguished lead vocals before extreme dynamic shifts lead to an impassioned guitar solo. It’s a balance of haunting and beautiful that shows the nuanced emotion that can be overshadowed in grunge.
From sleazy and playful to moody and aggressive, grunge presents this range through melodies and lyrics that often display a deeper level of thoughtfulness that you might not associate with the headbanging hard rock influenced guitars. Those Seattle musicians explored it all, but you needed a place to make records in the 90s.
Some fans make trips to see Kurt Cobain’s apartment, others to venerated coffee shops and stages. But what really helped make the sound of grunge lay in the studio magic of places like London Bridge. Recording in the literal “room where it happened”, producer (and our Founder & Creative Director) Daniel Holter chose to make Grunge in London Bridge Studio—the very same space where iconic albums including Ten by Pearl Jam, Dirt by Alice In Chains, Louder Than Love by Soundgarden, and so many more were captured, often by studio owner and engineer/producer Jonathan Plum (who, yes, recorded this set of songs for us, as well). Using the same equipment in the same rooms as those classic records was a crucial ingredient in our process, one that we believe comes through not only in how the songs were performed, but the sonic qualities of the audio itself (along with Seattle musicians Andy King on drums and Jordan Gomes on bass). Perhaps there’s something in the walls, or maybe lingering in the air.
When asked about creating this record, Ryan Leyva shared, “I grew up in Seattle in the 90's, learning guitar and playing along with Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Fastbacks! This music is in my DNA. I still love those bands and my city.”
To us, this all adds up to an album that we believe channels the spirit of those incredible 90s grunge records. And while a movie like Singles (1992) went above and beyond in putting grunge music into the hearts and minds of casual listeners all around the globe, the practical applications for this revered genre are even more prevalent today. Either playing off of 90s nostalgia or utilizing the emotional impact of the palm-muted guitars and bold vocals, there are myriad possibilities within extreme sports, action films, or an anti-hero streaming series. These tracks can even work for commercials that play on the feeling of uninhibited freedom from a new car, truck, or motorcycle, perhaps driving in the PNW.
And don’t worry, you don’t need to tie a flannel around your waist or grow out your hair to listen to grunge anymore… but it can certainly enhance the experience.
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